Suspended sentence for Carndonagh man who threw table in takeaway

Staff Reporter

A Carndonagh man, who pulled his trousers in a local takeaway while throwing a table over the counter and trying to damage a Buddha statue has received a suspended sentence and community service in lieu of imprisonment.

Dermot McGuinness, Churchtown appeared at Carndonagh District Court after previously pleading guilty to charges of threatening behaviour, criminal damage and being intoxicated in public following the “disgraceful incident” at Ocean Court on Sunday, May 26 2013.

The court was told McGuinness, was “out of his mind on drink” at the time and his case was adjourned for probation reports.

On Tuesday, Judge Paul Kelly told McGuinness he had an “atrocious record” of these type of offences.

He added: “Have you seen the photos? Running around with your trousers off, throwing things over the counter.”

McGuinness told Judge Kelly he was currently attending an addiction counsellor. Judge Kelly sentenced him to 120 hours community service in lieu of three months imprisonment on the charge of criminal damage and fined him 100 euro for being intoxicated in a public place. He also sentenced him to three months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months on his own bond of 100 euro with conditions he complies with the directions of the probation service and his addiction counsellor.

He noted he had completed community service “successfully” in the past but reminded McGuinness if he re-offends within 12 months he will serve the prison sentence.